Varuh ДЌlovekovih pravic

Ombudsman and digital transformation minister on access to content and services for all

When delivering the institution’s annual report for 2021 today, 6 July 2022, to Dr Emilija Stojmenova Duh, the minister without portfolio responsible for the digital transformation, Peter Svetina, the human rights ombudsman, said that the work of the institution that he heads has shown him the vulnerability of certain social groups when it comes to their access to services. The homeless and socially disadvantaged in particular have diminished access to the infrastructure that would allow for their full inclusion in society, which – in part because of the pandemic – is becoming increasingly digitalised.

“Digital literacy has become key to realising the necessities of life, as communicating with various institutions and sorting out matters of administration and status is mostly done electronically”, said Mr Svetina, who noted that authorities and institutions should not ignore those who do not have or cannot use devices for digital inclusion, such as the elderly, those living in poverty, and people with mental health issues and illnesses. He told the minister of the case of one elderly gentleman who turned to the ombudsman because he had been sanctioned because he did not have a smart phone, which was the only way of paying for parking.

“The digitalisation of society is vital, but cannot replace human contact, as this is key to a healthy society,” explained Mr Svetina. The ombudsman believes that digital contacts with authorities and health institutions cannot be a replacement for contact in real life, but should merely ease the path to the latter. The ombudsman informed the minister that the institution is therefore monitoring the activities of the health ministry, which has drawn up new strategic guidance for the digitalisation of healthcare as a whole.

He also briefed the minister on efforts by ombudsman institutions to introduce digitalisation to improve their own processes. They also discussed access to the websites of government bodies, local authority bodies and public-sector entities, which by 23 September 2020 were supposed to be accessible to all users, in particular users with various forms of disability. Supervision of the implementation of Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of 26 October 2016 is otherwise being conducted by the public administration ministry, whom the ombudsman has already asked how many of those with obligations under the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications Act are meeting their legal requirements with regard to access to websites, and how.

“Access to information is one of the basic rights of every individual in contemporary society. People with disabilities must have the opportunity to enjoy their human rights to the full extent of the law. Access to information and communication technologies is particularly important here, as it provides the basis for exercising other rights. With the help of the right adjustments, people with various disabilities can obtain information, come to understandings, educate themselves, and get involved in society and be active participants in it. Without these adjustments they are confined to the margins, they do not have equal opportunities,” reiterated Mr Svetina.

Print: